GMorrison183

Hey everyone, In advance, this isn't a doom and gloom and post. Just seeing what everyone's take would be. Assuming a healthy Baines, is the 5-4-1 our best option? 5 defenders would solve our potential CB problem. Yobo, Jags, and Lescott would all be on the field. 5 defenders would allow Lescott and Baines to push forward a lot more. We are short at midfield for a 4-5-1. We are a lot more equipped for a 5-4-1 (5-3-2) in terms of our depth. Even with Fernandes and Moutinho, I still think given our depth we'd be decent. Thoughts? Below is a sample lineup. Just trying to give us something productive to talk about besides the sky is falling -----------------Yakubu------------------ ------------------Cahill------------------- ---Pienaar------Osman--------Arteta--- Baines--Lescott--Jags--Yobo---Neville -----------------Howard-----------------

I seriously think whoever designed the scarf didn't take that into account Hopefully it'll be a better game than last year at Salt Lake.

I think if Peanut or Arteta was more of an offensive threat than Fletcher would be a decent fit. That being said, I think he would just be depth.

I heard from the nephew of the 2nd cousin of Sir Alex Ferguson that none other than WAYNE ROONEY will be back at Everton. Apparently Ferguson not only agreed to it, but Rooney is actually FUNDING the move himself as he was last seen at a courthouse with a large sum of money for none other than Moyes himself! When Moyes was asked if Rooney was really there to pay up, Moyes grinned and replied "You better believe it, in fact, its too late to change the book(s)!" :-D Also, a bid is expected to be lined up for Ronaldo within the hour! The 5mil rated Ronaldo (by Everton) is available after being unsettled by a lesser ranked team (Real Madrid), but few expect that the Glazers will be able to turn down Moyes cheeky bid of 5mil PLUS Tony Hibbert! The Glazers clearly shocked in awe have stated "I don't know what to say to that." More details to come!

i have to admit that I am antsy about this one. He can put in the cross, can score, work the channels, and he is use to less than perfect service. Sounds like the perfect fit (especially the last part *looks at Neville ) I'd be perfectly fine if we continued to bolster the midfield to swap AJ to West Ham and bring this guy in. He seems tailored just like Cahill and Carsley to the 4-5-1.

He was absolute class tonight. He is the complete attack midfielder and could play up front if need be. ----------------------Yak--------------------- ---------Cahill---------------Arshavin-------- Pienaar--------------------------------Arteta ------------Defensive Mid Anyone?----------- Lescott------Yobo---------Jags--------Neville --------------------Howard--------------------

All he said is he would've sold him for 15mil. I think anyone would.

Howard - He has moments of calamity due to lack of communication, but overall another great job. Hibbert - Provided decent over in the spot starts. Either played excellent, or very poorly. Neville - Seeing him score those 2 goals were hilarious. I actually think he is a decent RB. Yobo - I remember a few times where he got turned around/out of position, but another solid season. Jagielka - I'm not quite as high on him as everyone else, I think he had an OK season - hoofed it way too much for my liking Lescott - His goals were crucial to us being in 5th place. My player of the season. I do prefer him at LB than CB now honestly. Pienaar - I loved the loan when we got him, and am very pleased that we brought him in. Provides the passing we need. Cahill - It'll be interesting to see if we rely on him as much next season with the injury problems, but had some good performances this season, although people are forgetting that he flat out dissapeared in other games. Carsley - His passive aggressive style of defensive midfielding cost us a couple games, but similar to Hibbert he is decent at his position. We need an upgrade here. Arteta - Same as Cahill. Definitely not the same Arteta from the previous season. Yakubu - I don't care if he does nothing else, the fact is he scored 20+ goals for us. If anything, we should put him in a role where we try to limit his other duties. Great signing. AJ - Struggled to get in sync with the Yak. Needs to regain some of that finishing touch. Fernandes - Really turned in on at the end of the season- I hope we get him on another loan to see if he can do it for the entire season . Anichebe - Our Euro Supersub - Honestly his development is starting to slow down. Maybe loaning him out may be the best option? Vaughan - Only if he can stay healthy. He'd be a great #3 striker that could be used for the spot start. Moyes - Pushes our club forward. One of the top English managers.

We just extended Hibbert's contract this season. Second, Moyes really feels like he can lean on him when the team needs a good defensive performance. He has commented before that he knows exactly what he gets out of Hibbert when he is put out there (insert your jokes here). I honestly would be shocked if we spend money on a new RB. If anything, we'll probably see another CB come in or maybe we'll put out faith in Rodwell (don't know if it's too early yet). Our biggest needs are in the midfielder IMO.

I really like the 3-2-1 system. It measures the game-by-game impact that we as fans think the players had on the game. Lescott saved us in numerous games. Can't really argue with the end result in that. The reality is players like Joey Yobo and Tim Howard will never be at the top of these rankings just because if we win 1-0 the MOTM will be the one who scored the goal, not the defensive performance of either of these 2. For awhile earlier on, some people if I remember questioned the Yak's work effort even though he was scoring. I think that's why he ended up not getting as many points. I think a different award takes away from the accomplishments of the seasom MOTM winner.

I know a lot of people wish he was gone, but he is good for the spot start every now and then.

This is Everton! Surely they'll put in more drama then that 3-2 with a last minute goal from Manny! Wait...you mean Moyes always subs him out? Who will get the last minute goal then? Carsley? Neville (off a deflection)? Hibbert? A tired Yak? Make that a 2-2 game

We can certainly hope.

The worst thing we can do is trot out a midfield that includes any combination of Carsley, Neville, and Jagielka. God forbid they go against a team that can play it on the ground <_< 2-0 Gunners, we come away with a frustrated Yak due to poor service and a yellow to Neville and Carsley. I hope I'm wrong though. I mean, if Neville can score 2 in one season, I guess anything is possible! COYB!

If anything, I took away the lack of class from Villa fans at the game.

Has there ever been a cheeky bid that worked out? It's too hard to predict who would be on the out for us; possibly Yobo? Baines has to start getting games or we are going to lose him to another team which puts us in an incredibly strong position at CB. I expect to see the bottom of the roster to have some turning over (VDMeyde, Nuno Valente although he really isn't that awful for a spot starter, Carsley to Derby, etc.). Having Kallstrom and Arshavin in our midfield would be a dream. I honestly don't know how we would organize the midfield, ideally Pienaar and Arteta wouldn't play side by side though. ---------------------Howard-------------------- Neville------Yobo----------Lescott-----Baines Arteta----Arshavin----Kallstrom------Pienaar ----------------------Cahill--------------------- ---------------------Yakubu-------------------- Reserves GK: Stefan Wessels D: Tony Hibbert D: Phil Jagielka D: Dan Gosling (possibly Jack or is it too soon?) M: Leon Osman M: Brian Howard M: Someone on loan (Fernandes again?) F: Bafétimbi Gomis (Using money from the sale of AJ) F: James Vaughan F: Victor Anichebe F: Lukasz Jutkiewicz (?)

If Van der Meyde was any sort of player he would've gotten a play during this stretch. At least Valente has value in that regard.

I'm glad at least someone (Romey) can acknowledge when someone's play sucks. I'd rather have a central midfielder who can put pressure on the opposing team then the antics of Lee Carsley for another season. With team Hoof-It in full force today, I'm shocked we were even able to get a goal.

As I mentioned before, Yak's goal against SK Brann was #1 on ESPN's top plays for the USA. That is unheard of (until last week when Beckham scored). That would be my choice although Osman's goal against Larissa was superb as well. I think if an Everton highlight reel was made for this decade both goals would be in it.

I would be perfectly happy if our summer ended up with us getting: Arshavin (10 mil or more probably with his current form...but he could absolutely ignite our attack) Pienaar (Sign him to a permanent deal) Michael Bradley or Manny Fernandes (One or the other would be fine, groomed to be a holding midfielder...imagine it'd be 5 mil for Bradley and around 8-9 for Manny) Adding a striker is kind of a iffy idea; the problem is that we can't keep 4 strikers healthy. If Vaughan was more reliable then I would say we are fine but I suppose we should add one for a couple mil.

A very grim view has us at 63; through blue colored glasses I could see us up to 67 or 69. Regarding the Derby game I have a couple thoughts: 1.) Where has Arteta gone? The one who is wearing his jersey can't take a dead ball or put in a cross for the life of him. Honestly, he has been nothing short of terrible lately. 2.) I was curious as to why Manny was sitting deeper than Carsley on numerous occasions. Did anyone catch that? I do think his passing has been getting better and better and if he could be had fairly cheaply; I'd still say we should sign him (unless the alternative is Arshavin, then by all means I'd rather go after him). 3.) If this game doesn't prove to Moyes that Osman is much better in the CM then I don't know what will. He looked completely different in the 2nd half. 4.) I think we may see some of the bigger clubs come sniffing at Yobo. He is solid along the back and I would hate to see him go. I think we will manage to get 3 points in a scrapfest against Birmingham City which would mean we'd have to grab one more win to safely finish in 5th. I'd just like Moyes to field this team once and see if it'd work. I'm not sure we need to have a Carsley type player out there as long as we have good passing in the midfield.... --------------------Howard------------------------ Neville----Yobo-------------Lescott-------Baines -------------------Fernandes---------------------- Arteta--------------Osman----------------Pienaar -----------AJ------------------Yakubu-------------

0-0 draw or Yak pulling one out of thin air 1-0. No doubt we'll see Hibbert, Carsley, and Neville starting together.

Carsley was abysmal in terms of his defending and his passing is a huge liability. Like I said before, I don't understand how people can keep defending him.

I am hoping this time will be the charm for Moyes. We basically have 6 defenders out there with Carsley and Neville in the middle. Arteta and Pienaar will pass before shooting. That leaves us with Yakubu and Leon Osman (who can't score unless it's an uncontested shot). I understand we didn't have other options, but how about playing Fernandes instead of a defensive midfielder? At least it makes the line up look like we want to score. ---------------Howard-------------------- Neville---Yobo-------Jags-------Lescott ---------------Carsley------------------- Arteta---Fernandes--Osman---Pienaar ---------------Yakubu-------------------- It is all in the past now though. I don't understand how some of you can defend Carsley much longer, he offers nothing going forward, always going backward with his passes (and the few that go forward are sloppy), and his defending is very overrated. I was shocked that Neville was taken off as oppose to Hibbert or Carsley (although Neville didn't show up today either).